SHPE DFW History

​The Dallas-Fort Worth Professional Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers was the first professional chapter to be established in the organization.

​Fernando Laclette, an engineer for Rockwall International, joined SHPE in 1976 in southern California and became a member of the SHPE Board of Directors. Fernando was transferred to Dallas, Texas in 1979, and soon experienced a longing for the association with SHPE. He spread the message of the mission and purpose of SHPE to his fellow Hispanic engineers at Rockwall International, and built a network with Hispanic engineers at General Dynamics in Fort Worth.

Fernando Laclette, and co-founder Alberto Gutierrez, organized Hispanic engineers from Dallas and Fort Worth into a professional association, developed the constitution and bylaws, and petitioned SHPE to be recognized as a professional chapter.​In 1981 Richard Himenez, SHPE President, officially recognized SHPE DFW as SHPE's first professional chapter. The organization was formally incorporated under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act on June 8, 1981.

SHPE DFW was instrumental in setting up student chapters at Souther Methodist University (SMU), University of Oklahoma (OU) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT). For his outstanding contributions in the fields of engineering and science to the Hispanic community, Fernando Laclette was presented with SHPE's Jaime Oaxaca Award in 1986. ​​​

SHPE Believes in:

Statement of Values

We are brought together by heritage, social responsibility and desire to improve the equality of all people through the use of science and technology.

We value excellence in education, professional pursuits and leadership.

MissionSHPE promotes the development of Hispanics in the engineering, science, and other technical professions to achieve educational excellence, economic opportunity and social equity. ​​

VisionSHPE's vision is a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

Strategic Focus AreasWe will fulfill our mission by increasing educational opportunities, promoting professional and personal growth, carry out our social responsibility to be involved in education, business and government issues and enhancing pride within our organization and reinforcing our reputation as a vital Hispanic organization.

SHPE DFW Lifetime Professional Members

The following DFW members have pledged a lifelong commitment to SHPE and its vision. On behalf of our chapter, we would ​like to recognize these individuals for their dedication to SHPE:

Alex Casimiro

Fernando A. Ceballos (2016)

David Cruz

Aaron De Los Santos

Diana Hightower

Bianne C. Martin (2015)

Juan Meza (2014)

Orlando Montan

Juan Rosal

Andrea V. Shinn (2016)

Clemente Quiñones (2015)

Justa Treviño

Rudolfo Treviño

Gabe Villarreal

Michael Zamarron​​

SHPE DFW Board of Directors Alumni

Call to ACTION: The current BOD is actively working on a project to identify all past leaders for the 40 Year Anniversary Gala (2021). If you have any past contacts, please email bod@shpe-dfw.org or find us on this SHPE DFW Alumni LinkedIn Group. All help is greatly appreciated to update our records!